After three years in the planning and construction stage, the new basketball court located on the Scotland County Elementary School playground has been completed.

The outdoor facility has a full-court concrete pad and features adjustable basketball goals on each end.

The project was spearheaded by a pair of local sports boosters, Barb Blomme and Terry Watson, along with the cooperation of the school administration.

A number of volunteers did the concrete and dirtwork at the site. The workers included: Mark Holt, Eddie Fox, Jim, Josh, Jake and Zach McBee, Jerry, Bryce and Grant Blomme, Merri McCartney, Doug Meeks, Eric Anders and Chris Montgomery.

Financing for the project came from the Scotland County Rotary Club as well as the 1998 and 1999 fifth and sixth grade basketball tournaments for which Watson served as treasurer. Omicron Theta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi also donated to the project.

The basketball goals were donated by Kevin Fromm of Wamco and Aaloc Manufacturing.

"This like the rest of the playground, was constructed with generous contributions from community organizations and help from community members," said Principal Rob Moore. "Our children are very fortunate to have groups and individuals who will step forward to make these types of projects possible."